Metcheck site gone?

Chris · 11 July 2008, 22:37

Anyone know what has happened to it?

Nos4r2 · 11 July 2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Anyone know what has happened to it?

It's being transferred to new servers. There were apparently some IP addys up that you could use to access the new servers earlier.

ian parkes · 12 July 2008, 00:17

They are just going to put all the weather icons into a lottery ball machine to take some of the guesswork out of it .

John Kennett · 12 July 2008, 06:50

Isn't that what they do anyway?

I'm continually amazed at the faith people have in Metcheck. In my experience it's OK at telling you what the weather is doing right now, which is useful if you don't have a window to look out of, but other than that it's just a distraction.

John

tcwozere · 12 July 2008, 11:58

It's here at the moment..

Poly · 12 July 2008, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Isn't that what they do anyway?

I'm continually amazed at the faith people have in Metcheck. In my experience it's OK at telling you what the weather is doing right now, which is useful if you don't have a window to look out of, but other than that it's just a distraction.

John

And even then its sometimes wrong!

TangoTango · 12 July 2008, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Isn't that what they do anyway?

I'm continually amazed at the faith people have in Metcheck. In my experience it's OK at telling you what the weather is doing right now, which is useful if you don't have a window to look out of, but other than that it's just a distraction.

John

Is this a dig at Metcheck in particular or do you have an issue with all forecasters?

John Kennett · 14 July 2008, 15:58

Metcheck specifically. I think that what makes it particularly bad is the pretence at fine detail on medium range forecasts.

If you have the time and inclination, try picking a location and note the forecast for 12.00 a fortnight ahead - then go back each day and note it again. See how it changes over time . . .

John

Matt · 14 July 2008, 22:56

Looking at the day as a whole, rather than just midday, is it any more or less reliable than others?

Richard B · 14 July 2008, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Metcheck specifically. I think that what makes it particularly bad is the pretence at fine detail on medium range forecasts.

I agree... it's unrealistic to forecast such accuracy so far in advance. I've known people cancel RIB cruises on the basis of a poor MetCheck forecast, only to miss a fantastic day's boating.

Matt · 14 July 2008, 22:59

lol. Sounds like my old sailing club, regularly used to cancel racing, only for the weather on the day to turn out fantastic.

TangoTango · 14 July 2008, 23:28

Assuming we discount the longer range forecasts, is there a better source of forecasting over a 1 or 2 day period than MetCheck? If so what is it?

Nos4r2 · 15 July 2008, 05:29

Site is back up now.

Richard B · 15 July 2008, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoTango

Assuming we discount the longer range forecasts, is there a better source of forecasting over a 1 or 2 day period than MetCheck? If so what is it?

You should be able to get a reasonably accurate forecast up to three days in advance.

I use two main sources of information - BBC and ecmwf.int

The BBC is constrained politically, and it predicts the worst case scenario for one simple reason - in case of major storm. If you remember a few years ago, a major storm arrived with no warning because the forecasters new it was possible, but unlikely. There was political criticism and now the forecast has been changed to avoid this scenario ever happening again. Result, the BBC site is "pessimistic". However, the Atlantic pressure charts can be used (they're under the coast & sea section) as raw data, they only up to four days ahead.

ECMWF is a fantastic site - it's based on computer simulations from current observations and is usually very accurate. It's raw data though. Go to http://www.ecmwf.int/products/foreca...deterministic/ and click on the thumbnail chart. Select the latest forecast base time. Look at the chart for next Monday. Book next Monday* off work, it's going to be great!

* That's Monday 21st July 2008 in case you read this post at some later date!

Mollers · 15 July 2008, 07:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Site is back up now.

Yeah, and I don't go much on what it's having to say.

It can go away again.

Jon · 15 July 2008, 08:59

Try this site for the free download player and then pick the area you want to check. The forecasts from the grib files have proved excellent for me.

http://www.grib.us/

John Kennett · 15 July 2008, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangoTango

Assuming we discount the longer range forecasts, is there a better source of forecasting over a 1 or 2 day period than MetCheck? If so what is it?

I mostly use the Met Office and Ugrib from www.grib.us

ECMWF as suggested by Richard is also good.

John